Lisieux: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Those exploring Lisieux will encounter religious sites, a rich urban history, art and landscaped areas. The Basilique Sainte-Thérèse, the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre, museums and paths through the town and surrounding nature reveal the different facets of the place.

It is possible to find a holiday apartment for a stay in Lisieux.

Faith and Culture

The Basilique Sainte-Thérèse in Lisieux was consecrated on 11 July 1954. Its Neo-Byzantine architecture consists of reinforced concrete with a natural stone facing. The upper church and crypt are decorated with marble and mosaics illustrating the message of trust and love of Saint Thérèse. The crypt also contains the relics of Saints Louis and Zélie Martin.

At the Chapelle du Carmel de Lisieux, the relics of Saint Thérèse are kept in a reliquary. At certain times of day, visitors can attend Mass there with the Carmelite nuns. The Maison des Buissonnets has preserved some of its furniture and belongings and is now open to visitors. Behind the Basilique Sainte-Thérèse de Lisieux, the monumental Chemin de Croix depicts the Stations of the Passion of Christ; it was inaugurated in April 1934.

History

The Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Lisieux is one of the few historic buildings in the town to have survived the bombings of 1944. Its construction began in 1150 under Bishop Arnoult. During this period, the apse chapel was built to house his tomb. The master builder introduced flying buttresses in Normandy for the first time to support the vaults.

The Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Lisieux has extensive collections on the history of the town: they range from the Gallo-Roman settlement to the townscape with half-timbered houses that disappeared during the Second World War. The museum is housed in one of the town’s last half-timbered houses. Works by Eugène Boudin and Gustave Courbet are among the works that can be discovered there.

Outdoors

The Arboretum de Lisieux is a 12-hectare urban park. It contains more than 130 varieties among a total of around 700 trees. The arboretum also has an orienteering course for walkers. At the Jardin archéologique de Lisieux, information panels guide visitors through the site. The remains of two Gallo-Roman bathing complexes were discovered there, one for women and one for men.

On the Move

The “Dans les yeux de Thérèse à Lisieux” route is an 8 km circular walk starting in Lisieux. It combines an urban tour with a walk through nature.

More location pages: Bény-Sur-Mer, Jurques, Le Tourneur, Mondeville, Potigny, Louvières, Thiéville, Honfleur

For the higher-level travel overview: Calvados.